The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-01-07
TEE OLD PASTOR.

ought to spur up little.
John and l were sitting on the front
porch one Sabbath afternoon. He was
smoking his pipe and looking over his Sun
day paper sometimes reading bit to me,
which almost put me half asleep, as is nat
ural enough when there's nothing to do to
keep one awake. But always get wide
awake when he begins to talk, so when he
said that ! said to him:
well, must say I'm getting tired of
the old thing. Now, when was at Spen-
ccryille, where they've just got new min
lister, there was so much geing on, and
everything so lively! There were all the
ladies fixing up the parsonage, and every
body calling there, and presents, and the
! use-warming; dear me! 1t all seemed to
make so much good feeling"
That's it, said John, ''There's no feel
ing at all here Parson Miles is good
enough man, but he's slow-yes, rather
SLOW 1t sometimes comes over me, Ma
ria, then John spoke lower, though
whether it was in fear Of being heard by
the leaves that whispered in the apple
trees that shaded the porch, or by the
birds building their nests there, or by old
Carlo that lay on the mat, is more than |
can say; but there wasn't nothing else to
hear-''that p'r'aps we need change,
though wouldn't be the one to start the
idea
NO, indeed, said; 'but still he's
been here long time.
Yes, and getting little old. i young
er man, now, would 'liven things up. We
could pay him little better salary and
give him a good setting ont. The church
is well able to do it. :
''There's no fault to be found with Bro.
Miles, though, said, for couldn't find
it in heart to hear him run down.
'tNot bit. It's only that-well-o
thai, p'r'aps his usefulness here is at an
end. What do you say, Maria, to driving
over to hear Parson futile this evening"
just for variety? He's more my style;
beats and whacks away, and wakes folks
up
1t was ten miles and more.
Yes" said he, 'I'll hitch up Prancer
and VIC can make it in an hour
| saw be was little restless, and rather
liked the idea Of tide behind the colt, so
| make no objection. AS we got near
Radnor there were lots of folk $ on the way
to church.
''tireat many out for evening worship,
| said. sour folks don't turn out this
WE'LL.
''Parson Tuttles man that draws
said John; keeps mp the interest, you
see.''
There was quite crowd in the entry,
aud as we were waiting for some one to
show us to seat, We overheard man say:
you'll hear something worth hearing
tonight. Mr.. q couldn't get hold of the
name though tried) is going to preach
| was afraid John had set his heart ON
hearing Mr.. futile, but as far as was
concerned, didn't mind hearing stran-
ger, especially if he was like they said, for
they were keeping right on:
''lIe's strong speaker, yes strong
that's just the word. We're always glad
when We get him on an exchange. Won
der is, man like him's let stay SO long
in country living. None of your hop
and Jump sort-don't waste any force
hammering ont sparks, but he goes at it
and drives in the truth square and solid.
and then clinches it-yes, sir, he inst
clinches it-that's the very word.
could see the folks We're expecting
something a little more than common by
the way they looked as they settled into
their seats. was looking about little,
trying to see if any body knew was there,
for knew a few of the Radnor folks
(though what with running to Eliza Jane
or to Susan's, now they're married, and
something or other always ailing with one
or other of the children, and the work OF
home, it's wonder | ever keep track OF
anything else) and didn't look toward the
pulpit at all till | heard the minister's
voice, and them almost jumped from my
seat as stared at him. Then | turned and
stared at John, and he stared at me. 1t
was parson Miles as sure as you live. lit
hadn't been in church should a laughed
right out. to see Johns blank look. But
sobered down, and then | couldn't help
seeing how those people listened. 1t was
very plain they considered Parson Miles
no such small doings; and it set me to
noticing him myself q good deal sharper
than I'd been doing of late. tried to
look at him and to listen to him as if I'd
been somebody else besides myself.
couldn't fail to say he was very hand
some man, but made up my mind you
don't often see more earnest, scholarly
face than his. Then noticed the sprink-
ling of gray in his hair and beard, and
somehow the tears would come into my
eyes as | began thinking over the long
wears he ID been among us. ] couldn't re-
member time or sickness when he hadn't
brought strength and comfort, and could
almost hear again how often his voice had
seemed to bring down beam oil hope and
faith as we stood by an open grave.
When he came to his text John gave me
little poke, fer, if you'll believe me, it
was the same we'd heard in the morning.
But | had TO confess to myself hadn't